Bill Belichick Reveals Pick, Robert Kraft Shuns ‘What’s About to Happen’ — New England Patriots Host Army-Navy Game
FOXBORO — When New England Patriots team owner Robert Kraft’s bid to host the annual Army-Navy Game was accepted in June 2022, he was almost certainly unaware that he would be not-so-subtly goaded into making a statement on the future of his franchise — particularly regarding that of head coach Bill Belichick.
However, Kraft made it clear that he was excited to host the nation’s most prominent military academies for a great afternoon of football as he sat on the dais of ESPN’s College GameDay pregame show.”
‘We’re so honored to host this event,” Kraft said with a smile.” This is America’s Game. There’s nothing like this.”
Of course, the topic of discussion understandably led to what has been a disappointing season for the Patriots in 2023. When asked about whether he had a plan in mind to fix his once-proud, yet currently ailing franchise — including the fate of Belichick as head coach — Kraft chose to take the high road.
“We like to win,” Kraft said with a purpose. So we want to do everything we can do to get our team back to where we are winning again.”
Still, the winds of controversy were not about to bypass Foxboro under otherwise pleasant weather conditions. GameDay co-host Pat McAfee added the following addendum to Kraft’s response:
“I don’t envy your position … what’s about to happen. We all know. We don’t have to ask.”
Rather than respond to McAfee’s remark, Kraft instead shook his hand before exiting the panel.
While the social media sleuths will gleefully cannonball their way into the polluted pool of ‘hot takes’ while trying to interpret both McAfee’s words and Kraft’s reaction to them, it is important to remember that the Pats owner had merely seconds ago praised the value of loyalty when it comes to the operation of his team.
“It’s all about loyalty … people have to be loyal,” Kraft said. “I’m very happy that most of our key people have been with us for a long time. We’ve had a head coach [Belichick] that has been with us for 24 years … He’s the longest serving head coach.”
Bill Belichick wears a 1962 Navy helmet, complete with its own version of the ‘Jolly Roger,’ to make his guest pick for the Army-Navy game at Gillette Stadium.
Cred: Mike Reiss, ESPN (@MikeReiss)
As for Belichick, it is no secret that his future will be the subject of speculation as the offseason draws near. With one year remaining on his contract — and the prospects of improving on the team’s current 3-10 record down looking scarce — may believe that the team and Belichick could be headed for a parting of the ways — a concept nearly unfathomable in New England for over two decades.
Still, the ‘HC of the NEP’ appeared content to enjoy the day’s events , while fondly reminiscing on the renowned history of the Army-Navy game and his experiences in watching many contests through the years. Belichick has had close ties to the Naval academy, as well as the surrounding areas— having grown up in close proximity to the school’s campus in Annapolis, Maryland. His father, Steve, was an assistant coach and scout at the Naval Academy for over 30 years, retiring in 1989.
Belichick even channeled his inner-Lee Corso by donning his own, personal Navy helmet from 1962 to exclaim “Go Navy, Beat Army!” as his official selection as guest picker — much to the delight of the well-gathered crowd around Gillette Stadium.
While “what’s about to happen” will eventually come to light in its own, due time, both Robert Kraft and Bill Belichick have seemingly decided … for at least one day … to focus on the history, pageantry and loyalty of one of the most storied athletic contests in the nation’s history.
